Udta Punjab: Alia Bhatt was not the first choice for the Shahid Kapoor - Kareena Kapoor film

Alia Bhatt, who is currently gearing up for the release of Kapoor and Sons co-starring Sidharth Malhotra and Fawad Khan, will be seen next in a dark urban thriller, Udta Punjab. The film, directed by Abhishek Chaubey, revolves around the issue of drug addiction in Punjab.

It is a known fact that Udta Punjab is a three track film and Alia will be seen essaying the character of a hockey player. In an interview, the actress said she signed Udta Punjab because of Shahid Kapoor. Alia explained,

"Honestly speaking, Udta wasn't offered to me initially. The director thought I would never take up such a character and so he never approached me.

While shooting for Shaandaar, Shahid gave me the script to read for feedback and I just fell in love with the film. My character in Udta Punjab is a complete step away from myself, it is in a different zone and you won't even be able to recognise me."

Himesh Mankad is an entertainment journalist who has a B.Com degree from Narsee Monjee College, Mumbai. He prefers covering Bollywood and loves good stories and music. When not watching movies, he can be found on a cricket field strutting his stuff.